Vaylar Rising — IC

[Fialova]

"Yeah, send over those creds," Em responds, her mind racing about what to do with her identification, given Antoine's usage of her fake name just moments prior. Shit, worst timing for that, guy, she thinks, before an idea pops into her head. Guess I can act like I'm keeping it secret from them, not the dock master. Stepping forward, she presents her idea to the man while leaning in to whisper. "I'd appreciate if you don't tell these dipshits my real name. Not lookin' for stalkers among this crowd."

OOC

With creds from Antoine, does that put Em instead at 553? Not sure how much we each got from the Jug sale. Regardless, others with a bit more should send over some for these fees too.

[Namelessjake]

Here," Jin says in respond to Em's request for credits, pulling out his compad and sending over 200 credits. He then swaps it over to his ID, following Antoine and Em's lead, handing it over to be scanned.

The Harbour Agent, scans the IDs as they are shown, giving Em a sly knowing nod as he scans hers.

"Huh, lot of Vaylans. I thought the in demand transit papers were ones to Vaylar not off it," the man muses. "There must be something wrong with Kasi'mela they're not telling us about over here," he laughs, handing back your compads as he looks to Stamps and Sven awaiting their ID.

OOC

Em Credits: 753
Antoine Credits: 318
Jin Credits: 647

[Scratcherclaw]

Could probably fake an ID, but fuck it. Not like they'd have anything on me here. Pretty sure all my old misdemeanors are under Björn Nakamura and Lopez Björnsson. You'd think those dumbfuck cops would put two and two together, but I guess they don't give a damn about smalltime violations. Following Antoine's lead, Sven produces his own ID and sends over a share of his own credits to Em. His lip curls at the officer's speculations over the situation on Vaylar. You have no idea, bud.

OOC

Transfer 100 credits to Em

[Namelessjake]

Following suit with the rest of the group, John produces his ID, leaving Em to pay the mooring fee.

"Thank you," the harbour master's agent says once everything has been handed over. "Make sure to bring that registration by the office once you have it. If you're staying past tonight, you'll need to come pay the mooring fee again too. It's just up there," the man says, pointing to a windowed outcropping in the wall of the harbour, reachable via the catwalks and elevators. "Enjoy Isille," he adds before taking his leave, headed for a newly arrived barge in the process of docking on the next pier over.

"So, time to find the Seascape Motel?" Jin asks, stepping off the boat and onto the pier.

OOC

Em: -400 credits (+100 from Sven) for a new total of 453.

[ratwizard]

Antoine lets out a protracted breath of relief as the officer departs. Never gets easier, he considers, thinking back on the inevitable anxiety of being found out that he'd felt at every routine inspection since the Davonian years.

"Yeah, let's find our man." Or what's left of him.

OOC

How secure is the boat / this dock? Could somebody easily gain access to the boat and the rocket launchers during a quick check of its compartments, for instance?

[Namelessjake]

OOC

Like most marinas or piers, the area is not especially secure. Anyone could climb aboard the boat if they wished. That said it would require the keys to start and steal the boat and open any of the main compartments. Additionally the rocket launcher compartments are well concealed, you were only able to find them quickly due to being told of their existence.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Yup," Sven says, rolling his shoulders of their tension as he steps onto the floating "land." Not exactly a comfy ride, but I guess we're here on business. "Last thing we wanna do is pay that fee again. Fucking taxman'll bleed us dry. Plus if we stick around too long, more and more people will start wondering why so many Vaylans are here." With the weird-ass accents here, we'll stick out as soon as we start talking.

[Fialova]

"Well, you can let me do the talkin' if you want, I'll blend in more than the rest of you lot. Though I'm from a smaller commune that ain't around anymore, so still not exactly the same type of folk you'd find in Isille," Em responds, at Sven's remark. "If anything, Tug's gonna stand out the most. Not a whole lot of free-thinkin', free-actin' bots in these parts. Military VIs or dock loader's, that's all we got here. At least that's how it was before I left." Turning to the VI, she gives them a pat on one of their mechanical arms. "Probably best you act the part again, for now." Pretty fine actor for a bot, gotta hand it to him. It? Hell if I know. Definitely glad to have the Tug on our side, though.

[ratwizard]

"Gladly let you do the talking," Antoine says, the phantom of a grin on his weary face. "Probably best most of us act the part. Keep heads down but eyes up."

OOC

Would I be able to access the infranet here with my compad, and navigate toward the Seascape Motel?

[Namelessjake]

OOC

Yes you could connect to the city's comm network which would include navigation/a city directory.

[ratwizard]

Antoine takes out his compad, connecting to the city directory. Seascape... Motel, he punches in. We walking, or riding? Hopefully it ain't too far.

[Namelessjake]

Looking at the map of Isille, the Seascape Motel appears to be located on the far end of the spoke to your right. Build on the edge of the platform, overlooking the ocean. The quickest route appears to be taking the main exit from the harbour, up into the central hub of the floating city, from where public transport can be taken to quickly move up and down the spokes to the outer districts of the city.

Alternatively, the harbours network of elevators and catwalks does directly connect to the Seascape Motel's spoke of the platform, however it is a longer journey entirely on foot.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Might be better to take public transit the way there," Sven says, looking at the city map on his own compad. "Saves some time and energy." And fuck, who wants to spend that long walking? "It's not like we should have anything to worry about yet."

[ratwizard]

"Alright, sure. But once we find our contact, the catwalks and elevators might be our best bet," Antoine suggests. "Less eyes on us."

He nods ahead toward the harbor's exit. "Let's get going."

[Namelessjake]

You make your way over to the harbour exit and board a large elevator which takes you up to the harbour's transit station. There you board one of the pods that serve the floating city's transit network. Accelerated along a straight track towards the centre of the city, the pod's glass windows provide a good view of the city as it races past.

A dense cityscape, you could almost be forgiven for forgetting the city floats atop the waves of an ocean, as the buildings crowd the pod's path, blocking any views of the blue horizon in the distance. The city itself, is not unlike Kasi'mela, with some shared architectural heritage dating back to the decades before the invasion. However there are a few key differences, the most noticeable being the lack of any construction materials other than glass and metal, as well as the much denser arrangement of the buildings, lacking regular sized roads in between them - here on Isille people seem to mostly move themselves and goods around on foot or using small electric carts.

The pod ride to the city centre is swift and the natural light of outside is quickly replaced by artificial light as you disappear into the base of the large central tower that dominates the city's skyline. There you arrive at a clean and well patrolled central station where you transfer to another pod which takes to the Seascape Motel's district of the city.

That journey too is over quickly, and you step out onto one of the narrow crowded streets to see the sign for the motel just a short distance down the street. This area of the city seems more rundown that the others, the motel's faded sign and low advertised prices suggesting it is far from the best accommodations the city has to offer.

"And I thought space was at a premium in Kasi'mela. How do people live like this?" Jin wonders aloud, clearly not enjoying the high population density necessitated by life on the water.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Doesn't seem like they've got much of a choice," Sven says with a shrug as he notices the motel's sign. He points it out, weaving through the busy thoroughfare to make his way toward it. "You're either packed like a sardine, or you're in the middle of nowhere and on your own I guess." No wonder people are trying to get off this world though. Fuck this place.

[ratwizard]

"Some people grow up never really knowing about wide, open spaces," Antoine explains patiently to Jin — though he doesn't blame the man's objection. Despite being Kasi'melani himself, Antoine had grown to desire expansive horizons too. Much easier spotting trouble if it's coming down a mountain rather than around the alley corner.

Still, the relative anonymity afforded to them here has Antoine feeling oddly comforted in the shadow of the low-rent buildings.

"Motel's just up ahead. Maybe two should go. The rest can case the joint, look for exits — you know, anything off about the place."

[BartNL]

"Just trying to get by one day at a time, Jin." John responds with some sadness in his voice.
"It's not just hard to get of planet permit wise these days, but even if you check all boxes and file all forms properly, your request can be thrown out for bureaucratic bullcrap." John continues, agitated at having been forced to play a part in denying such permits.

[greysigil]

"Consideration: If Only Someone Were To Disrupt The Current Status Quo, And Bring About Radical Change For The Better. Then, Maybe These People Could Lead Better, Less Restricted Lives." Jug intones, their unblinking eyelights sweeping over the cityscape before them. A file, the title corrupted save for a fragment of a date, plays in a small part of their processor. The audio track is a monotonous rumble, presumably the propulsion of the carrier, where the video shows a first person perspective of the inside of what appears to be a carrier or drop ship of some kind. Rows upon rows of identical robots, hung by hooks attached to hardpoints on their frames, none of the other machines eyelights are lit. The camera pans back and forth, once, before switching off. Packed Like Sardines. Idea = Detestable.

[Scratcherclaw]

"My vote's on whoever blends the best," Sven says, eyeing Em in particular. "Two is good. Don't wanna all go, that'll make it obvious. Plus I bet those hallways are narrow as fuck."

[ratwizard]

"Might make sense for me to tag along, then," Antoine offers. "Get an eye on the place. Who's coming with?"

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan slowly stands as he tries to recover from his stomach's attempts to jettison itself into the water. He quickly passes over some credits to Em, and hesitantly presents his ID.
Surprising only himself, he's let through, thankful that his previous uses of fake IDs worked well enough to keep his record clean enough to get access here.

Tristan walks calmly with the others, keeping his head down. As the ground becomes more stable, and the group finds themselves on the transit system, he lets out an uneasy breath, trying to relax.
He nods at Antoine; "I'll go with you, might as well. I need to step inside, anyway." He says, ready to be indoors again. Gods above... fuck this planet.

OOC

A little late, Tristan will have sent over 200 credits.
643-200= 443.

[Namelessjake]

"We'll be waiting," Jin says, as Antoine and Tristan departing, making their way inside the motel.

Tristan and Antoine

Stepping inside the motel, you find its interior is as dated and dilapidated as its exterior. The décor doesn't appear to have been updated since the invasion and it is in dire need of a new lick of paint and some reupholstering. You find yourselves in a small lobby, a old man sits behind a reception desk filling out a number based puzzle holo game of some kind, being projected from his compad laid flat on the desk.

In front of the desk a distressed couch sits across from a couple of vending machines - their offerings ranging from condoms and cigarettes to some questionable looking seafood bars. A little past the desk, a signed corridor leads the way to the rooms, while a doorway off to the right is labelled as the hotel bar, though hanging streams of ocean blue beads shield the drinkery from any prying eyes.

The man looks up from his puzzle a couple of moments after you enter, pausing to size you up for a second before returning his attentions back to the puzzle.

"It's 10 credits for an hour, or 20 for the night," he says, placing a 7 into a box to a small fanfare and pop of holo confetti.

OOC

Em +200 credits.

[BartNL]

OOC

Transfer 150c to Em

[ratwizard]

Antoine eyes the dilapidated interior with little concern, having stayed in a flophouse just like this on practically every planet in the system at this point. When he notices the ocean blue beads, he pats Tristan on the shoulder. "Get us a room for the night. Gonna go find myself a drink," he says in a calm tone, already making his way down the corridor for the bar.

Wayside, he remembers. And then Gregarious.

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

Stepping inside the motel bar, you find it in keeping with the rest of the motel's dated and budget ambience. Rather than a staffed bar, a couple of self-service drinks machines sit along one wall, along with vending machines for snacks and other ready to eat meals. 

In all there are only two other patrons in the bar. the first, a woman, a dock or ship worker judging by her attire, who sits on a stool at a high table, drinking a beer as she watches a boat race on the room's sole screen. The other customer is middle aged, male, and sits at another table poking at a bowl of unappetizing vending machine fare. He is dressed plainly but his clothes and hair are disheveled, combined with the dark bags under his eyes, you doubt he has had much sleep the past few days.

Tristan

"So, just the one night is it?" The man at the reception desk asks, putting aside his puzzle and logging on to the motel's booking system in anticipation of a sale, as Antoine disappears into the motel bar.

OOC

Em New Credit Total: 803
Stamps New Credit Total: 1803

[ratwizard]

Antoine glances at the two patrons in passing, making sure his attention doesn't linger. He steps over to one of the self-serve drinks stations, tapping in an order for a light beer.

Hands on his hips as the machine prepares his order, the psychic cocks his head over toward the screen. Shit, what I'd give to have one of those of my own. They got it made on this planet.

"Who's winning so far?" he asks the woman at the hightop. "Used to bet on these, back in the day."

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

"Fairchild and Baudin, but there's no surprise there. I don't know why I even bother watching these days. Escriosian dominance isn't exactly exciting viewing," the woman replies, taking a swig from her beer.

[ratwizard]

"No surprise at all. I stopped putting bets down when everything started feeling fixed," Antoine says. "You'd see good old racers like Kamerov and Duncan, you know, left by the wayside."

He shifts, glancing furtively about the cramped drinking hall to see if either patron reacts.

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

"You're a smart man. I've gotta stop punishing myself with this every week," the woman says with a laugh, taking another swig from her beer. Glancing at the other patron, he appears to be paying no mind to your conservation, displaying no noticeable reaction to the codeword.

"So what brings a handsome man like yourself to Isille? You're not from here if you're staying in this dump," the woman asks, turning her attention from the screen to you.

[ratwizard]

Antoine turns his attention back toward his drink under the dispenser, grabbing it before it overflows. "Guilty," he says, a warm grin peeking out beneath his salt and pepper stubble. Careful, now, Tone.

He sits at a table adjacent, keeping some distance, but not the whole room's worth. "Work," he sighs, taking a swig of the beer. "Got me moving from Point A to damn-near-Z this week, feels like." He nods at her, eyeing the woman's coveralls. "You?"

[Scratcherclaw]

As the pair disappears into the motel, Sven looks around the building for any other entrances and exits that might be of use. Doesn't hurt to be careful, in case they need backup.

 

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan approaches the desk, nodding at the man. "Yeah, I think so. We're just passing through." He says absent-mindedly. He pulls out his compad to pay him. "I'm not from around here, any good food places you'd recommend?" Tristan asks, keeping the conversation light.

OOC

Paying 20 credits to the desk clerk.

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

"Same here, we got in yesterday and I just needed to get off the ship for a bit before I killed someone," she replies with a laugh. "You can only take so much ship drama you know?"

She pauses, eying your beer for a moment. "That stuff ain't great by the way. If you're interested I've got a six pack of a much better beer up in my room that I picked up earlier."

Tristan

"Thank you," the man replies, taking a moment to process the transaction on the terminal on the desk. Once that is done, he opens a drawer in the desk and removes a keycard, handing it over to you.

"You're in 314. Down the corridor, up two floors and then it'll be down the hall on your right," he explains, pointing you in the direction of the stairs.

Credits

-20
New Total: 423

Everyone Else

At Sven's lead, you scout out the area around the motel. With space at a premium on the floating city no opportunity for verticality is spared. The motel itself, looks to take up the bottom four floors of a larger apartment building, the exterior of which is a mess of balconies, advertising billboards and aftermarket climate control and electrical equipment addons. The floors that make up the motel are tidier, without the ad hoc additions, but each room above the ground floor still appears to have a small balcony.

At the base of the tower, a small alley way skirts around the building to the left, where a fire exit leads out from the motel into a small refuse area.

[Scratcherclaw]

Fire exit, Sven notes, wincing at the sheer claustrophobia in this city as he steps into the alley. Let's hope it's not the kind to start blaring if you open it. Not exactly subtle. They could always hop down from a balcony though, I guess. He looks to his companions, wondering if anything else caught their eyes.

[ratwizard]

"Damn do I know," Antoine agrees. He cracks a confident grin as the woman continues her advances. She ain't bad. Easy on the eyes. But that part of him had been left behind back on Cyrand, with Maureen. The thought stings, even now. In place of an emotional response, his brain turns instead to a tactical one, the defense mechanisms working like blast doors slamming shut — shielding his psyche from the truth. No harm in saying yes I suppose. Might find myself in need of a hideout. Or an escape route. And even if I never show, I'm sure I'm neither the first nor the last man to stand her up.

"Might be that I am. Which room's yours? I get a moment free, I'll see about that beer."

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

"212," the woman replies with a smile. "I'll be waiting," she adds as she gets up to leave, brushing her fingers across your back as she heads for the bar's exit, disappearing through the beaded doorway.

Tristan

As you collect your room key, a woman emerges from the bead covered doorway through which Antoine had disappeared a couple of minutes earlier. Maybe a few years older than you, she is dressed in work clothes that look similar to those you saw the crew of the Rising fishing boat wearing. Exiting the bar, she turns and heads for the stairs at the end of the corridor.

[ratwizard]

Antoine recoils slightly at the gesture, the sensation of being touched by someone else setting off warning klaxons in his head. Relax, man.

He sits quietly for a moment, steadying his nerves, taking a final sip of his beer, glancing up one last time at the disheveled-looking man.

OOC

What's he doing now?

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

The man has continued to make slow progress on his food. He appears to be just sitting there, zoning out.

[ratwizard]

Antoine places his empty beer in a small bussing station in the corner before making his way back through the beads and toward the lobby. If this Matias is still here, he ain't in 212, and he ain't in the bar. He sighs, wondering how he might narrow their search window further.

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

You emerge back into the lobby to find Tristan waiting, room keycard in hand.

Tristan

Not long after the woman disappears up the corridor, Antoine too emerges from the bar, to find you waiting, room key in hand.

[ratwizard]

"Thanks for getting that," Antoine says to Tristan. He nods towards the entrance. "I need a cigarette. Wanna join?"

[Namelessjake]

Several minutes after disappearing inside the motel, Tristan and Antoine emerge to rejoin the group, a motel keycard in hand.

"How'd it go? Make contact already?" Jin asks the two men.

[ratwizard]

Antoine shakes his head at the rancher. "No dice, but I crossed off two faces I saw in the bar. Gal on shore leave, and another — a solo drinker. Man looks like he hasn't slept in a week. Anyways, we also booked a night so we got a reason to loiter."

He eyes the street a moment, turning back toward the others. "How'd it go out here?"

[Scratcherclaw]

"Not much on our end," Sven says with a shrug. "Found a fire exit in an alley out back. Balconies too. Seems like only the first few floors are the motel too, and then it's all apartments. Lotta people, and eyes, packed into this place so we gotta be careful."

[Namelessjake]

"Could be holed up in their room still then," Jin suggests as Antoine mentions finding no sign of the contact in the motel bar. "Probably known to the reception by now? This doesn't seem like the sort of place people tend to stay long."

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan flashes the keycard to the others before putting it away in a chest pocket. "Where do we want to check first, then?"

[ratwizard]

"Guy running this flophouse looks checked out. I'm guessing he might take a bribe for info," Antoine suggests, lighting a cigarette and taking a pull. "Should also take a peek around the place, look for any Diktat spooks or patrols. Signs of a struggle, quick getaways. Anything that might tell us our friend ain't here any longer."

He pauses, letting out a plume of smoke. "And remember the password, everyone."

[Scratcherclaw]

"Rooms with Do Not Disturb signs could be worth checking out too," Sven considers as Antoine goes over their gameplan. "If you're laying low, the last thing you want is maid service spooking you every morning. Might piss off the occupant but worth a try." He shrugs, unsure if his idea would even lead anywhere. Wayside, gregarious. Let's hope this doesn't take all night.

[BartNL]

"Can you get us into their systems, Sven? I can assist in shifting through data."